§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether the tenants of the Jones estate, Burrishoole, county Mayo, which was purchased by the Congested Districts Board about seven years ago, still remain in the congested condition that existed before the sale; whether in the townland of Derrycooldrim West on this estate six occupiers hold land of a total valuation of £8, and split up into 165 divisions or separate patches, while the holdings of the three occupiers of Derrycooldrim East (including buildings) have a total valuation of only £5 5s., and the total valuation of four holdings in Derradda West is £6 12s.; whether there is sufficient grazing or untenanted land in the immediate neighbourhood to relieve the congestion complained of; and when the Board intend taking steps to afford such relief?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Congested Districts Board inform me that the settlement of the cases referred to has been postponed pending the acquisition of lands in the neighbourhood, as the holdings could not be satisfactorily dealt with until such land is obtained. Although the holdings were left unstriped pending the acquisition of the additional lands, all the tenants have been given the fullest opportunity of placing their grazing stock on land which the Board had acquired.
§ Mr. JOHN PHILLIPSasked whether Colonel M'Cutchan offered his grazing land of Munis Callaghan, Moydow, county Longford, to the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners acquire it for a number of small farmers in the district whose holdings are uneconomic?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the only M'Cutchan estate in county Longford the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners is that of Thomas M'Cutchan, which is a direct sale and does not include any untenanted land.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether, in regard to the Westby estate, Kilballyowen, West Clare, his attention has been directed to the fact that, whereas there are many uneconomic holders in Kilballyowen, a large area of the estate has been assigned to an evicted tenant of the Vandeleur estate, who has been reinstated, and who is a man of considerable means; and whether care will be taken that in this matter the aim and intention of the Land Act will not be contravened, but that this estate will be dealt with according to the provisions of that Act and with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale directs by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. When the estate is being dealt with in order of priority, full inquiry will be made by the Estates Commissioners into the matters referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman take note that, if not real danger, there is a lively apprehension that in this case the terms of the last Land Act may be contravened, and if that were to take place it would excite great indignation in the county?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will take note of that.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked whether, in regard to the MacDonnell estate, Furoor, near Kilkee, West Clare, the Chief Secretary will direct his attention to the fact that the sale of the estate is now almost completed and that the opportunity has arisen of restoring to her farm Mrs. Collins, an evicted tenant whose reinstatement has been repeatedly promised whenever the land would be acquired; and whether steps towards that end will be taken without delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe holding on the MacDonnell estate, formerly ocupied by Mrs. Collins' husband, is in the occupation of another tenant, with whom the Estates Commissioners have no power to interfere. Her application will be considered in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners may acquire for purposes of distribution.